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View Poll Results: Martin HD-16R (used) vs. Martin GC Special 16 Style Rosewood (new) | |||
Martin HD-16R (used) | 19 | 54.29% | |
Martin GC Special 16 Style Rosewood (new) | 16 | 45.71% | |
Voters: 35. You may not vote on this poll |
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#61
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Thank you for that.
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#62
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I’ve played both, but at different times. The HD-28 comes out of Nazareth a bit better set up. The Special 16 — also made in Nazareth — felt quite a bit heavier. Check the weights (I don’t know the figures). I’d say the Special 16 is considerably better than half as good as the HD-28: maybe 9/10 as good, at half the price. That makes a strong case for the Special 16. It’s a good thing the Special 16 got sold while I thought about it over the weekend, or it would probably be here with me now.
For a guy like me, there’s a place for the Special 16: after all, it’s a Martin rosewood dread, a fitting tonal complement to both my mahogany guitars, big and small. It’s well made with a straight, plekked neck. I don’t gig except for a rare open mic. I play for fun, for myself and the occasional friend or family member. I record at home, but have a fairly low talent ceiling, both with playing and music production, so let’s be realistic. I will never have an HD-28 and a Special 16 in the same room. I do not compare myself to James Taylor or my guitars to Olsons. I am not setting the bar unnaturally high for my skill set. So yes, I believe I could be just as happy with a well set-up Special 16 as I am with any of my other three guitars, which would each cost more to buy. I’d take a look in the mirror and ask yourself how much guitar do you need?
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1952 Martin 0-18 1977 Gurian S3R3H with Nashville strings 2018 Martin HD-28E, Fishman Aura VT Enhance 2019 Martin D-18, LR Baggs Element VTC 2021 Gibson 50s J-45 Original, LR Baggs Element VTC ___________ 1981 Ovation Magnum III bass 2012 Höfner Ignition violin ("Beatle") bass Last edited by b1j; 08-18-2022 at 08:26 PM. |
#63
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I voted for the model made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
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1 dreadnought, 1 auditorium, 1 concert, and 2 travel guitars. |
#64
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Quote:
Well, excuse my ramblings -- just thinking out loud mostly, I guess. Maybe I'm delusional anyway. I plan to do some recording soon, but for now the only ones who will hear me play are my wife and cat. |
#65
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I thought they both were. Where is the HD-16R made?
Last edited by tsmith28; 08-18-2022 at 09:13 PM. |
#66
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At least your wife will listen; mine leaves the room; cats too for that matter, LOL.
Personally I'd get the GC Special 16 for the warranty. If you find a D-18 at that price you'll need to watch for binding issues on the 2012-2020 years(and maybe '21&'22). |
#67
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You know, that's a good point that I kind of keep forgetting -- the warranty on a brand new guitar. But I definitely need to keep that in mind when I'm doing my deliberating. That could be a big deal in the future.
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#68
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Hold on there Troubador, you have another thread about how you are not getting along with the playability of your HD-28. i think you better solve that issue before you go buying another new Martin with the same neck!
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#69
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I haven't made up my mind 100% on this, just trying to reason it out, explore possibilities within my budget, narrow my choices. But I've pulled back overnight, decided to slow down, and not hurry my decision. I want to take my time and hopefully make a wise choice. I'm tired of the merry-go-round; that's a losing endeavor in many ways, including financially. |
#70
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For those of you who know by personal experience: Would you say there is any difference in sound between the Special 16 and the HD-28?
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#71
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Even two different HD-28s would sound different.
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Martin:1956 00-18, 1992 D-16H, 2013 HD-28, 2017 CEO-7, 2020 000-28 Modern Deluxe Santa Cruz OM/PW, Larrivee OM-03R, Taylor GS-Mini Mahogany, Taylor 356CE, Fender American Professional Stratocaster, MIM Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epiphone ES-339 Pro YouTube Channel | Listen to my stuff on Spotify/Apple Music |
#72
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Well, yes, that is certainly true. Even the HD-28 Ambertone I sold sounded different from the new one I bought.
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#73
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That's why you really just need to go out and play some guitars. That way you will be sure you like the sound and it has a neck you can get along with.
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Martin:1956 00-18, 1992 D-16H, 2013 HD-28, 2017 CEO-7, 2020 000-28 Modern Deluxe Santa Cruz OM/PW, Larrivee OM-03R, Taylor GS-Mini Mahogany, Taylor 356CE, Fender American Professional Stratocaster, MIM Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epiphone ES-339 Pro YouTube Channel | Listen to my stuff on Spotify/Apple Music |
#74
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I know. Most of the time I like living way out here in the 'outback', but there are disadvantages.
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#75
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The Special 16 has the simple dovetail neck joint; the HD-16R has the M&T. Which neck joint is "better"? If ever in need of a neck reset, which of these necks would be easier/less complicated/less expensive to reset?
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